Cooking Skills
Many people lack cooking skills and this limits their ability to consume a healthy balanced diet. People who don’t feel confident when cooking often tend to rely on pre-prepared foods or take-aways, which can be high in fat, salt and sugar and a lot more expensive than making the same dishes themselves.
The situation is exacerbated for those on low incomes, as they cannot afford to experiment with new recipes and risk wasting food. Certain groups, such as those in temporary housing, may also lack the facilities and equipment needed to prepare some dishes.
Cookery groups aim to provide people with basic cooking skills, and many focus on food safety, budgeting and healthy eating. Cook and eat sessions can be run with all age groups as cooking is seen as a fundamental life skill.
Cooking clubs can increase confidence, skills and nutritional knowledge and participants can also benefit from interacting socially. The following case studies and publications have guidance on how to set up initiatives that aim to improve people's cooking skills.
The following case studies, publications and links have information about how to set up and run cookery groups.
Other Resources:
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